Treatment Outcomes of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Soft Palate and the Prognostic Significance of HPV/p16 Status.

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate (SCCSP) represents a rare subtype of oropharyngeal cancer. This study aims to evaluate the treatment outcomes of SCCSP and to assess the prognostic significance of HPV status.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with SCCSP between January 1981 and December 2021 were collected. Survival outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, primary surgery resulted in superior progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) compared with definitive radiotherapy (p < 0.05). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that primary surgery independently correlated with superior PFS (HR = 0.37, p = 0.002), OS (HR = 0.55, p = 0.012), and DSS (HR = 0.45, p = 0.020) in early-stage SCCSPs. Additionally, no significant prognostic differences were observed between HPV/p16 positive and HPV/p16 negative SCCSPs (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Surgery yields superior oncological outcomes for early-stage SCCSP patients. HPV status does not demonstrate prognostic significance in SCCSP.